We are writing to request
information about several individuals who we believe were transferred to
Ethiopian custody in early 2007 and whose whereabouts are now unknown.

As you know, at least 85
individuals were deported from Nairobi, Kenya, to either Baidoa or Mogadishu, Somalia, in January and February 2007. We understand that Ethiopian military
forces then operating in Mogadishu and Baidoa took custody of all of these men,
women, and children, and ultimately transported them to Ethiopia. In April 2007, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged that Ethiopia was holding at least 41 individuals in its custody and we welcome the fact that
all the women and children, and a number of men, were released between April
and June 2007.

However, many of the individuals
rendered from Kenya and Somalia continue to be held in Ethiopian prisons,
without access to independent, international monitors, such as delegates from
the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The whereabouts of many
others remain unknown.

We request that you provide
information about the following men, who either continue to be held in
Ethiopian custody or whose whereabouts are unknown:

Specifically, we would like the
following information about each of the men: (i) is he being detained and, if
so, where and on what grounds?; (ii) has he been charged with a crime and, if
so, what are the charges, has he had a trial, what was the outcome, and has he
had access to a lawyer?; (iii) has he been released and, if so, when, where, and
into whose custody?

We plan to issue a short report
detailing the results of our investigation into the whereabouts and well-being
of these men. We hope to hear back from you by September 30, 2008, so
that we can include your perspective in that report.

Finally, we urge you to
immediately allow the relevant consular representatives, as well as independent
international monitors such as ICRC delegates, to visit all persons held in
connection with the conflict in Somalia.